Engine air induction system

Abstract

An air induction system (10) for use with an internal combustion engine which includes a throttle body (24) mounted to an intake manifold housing (12). The manifold housing (12) includes an incoming flow passage (20) and a series of annular grooves (32). The annular grooves (32) are located between the throttle plate (30) and the incoming flow passage (20). These grooves (32) create turbulence in the air stream for improved performance under certain engine operating conditions and also act as moisture and contaminant traps.

I claim: 
     
       1. An air induction system for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: a throttle body having an airflow surface defining a main airflow bore and a throttle plate mounted in the bore;   an intake manifold housing mounted to the throttle body, downstream of the throttle body, with the housing including an air flow surface defining a main airflow passage aligned with the throttle body main bore, an incoming flow passage intersecting the main airflow passage, and a plurality of intake runners having intake passages and the intake runners intersecting the main airflow passage; and   turbulence means, located downstream of the throttle plate and upstream of the incoming flow passage, for causing turbulence in the main air flow passage.   
     
     
       2. The air induction system of claim 1 wherein the main airflow passage is oriented such that air generally flows in the main airflow passage in a direction other than vertical, whereby the turbulence means will also trap moisture and contaminates that may backflow toward the throttle plate. 
     
     
       3. The air induction system of claim 2 wherein the turbulence means comprises a plurality of annular grooves in the intake manifold housing along the surface of the main airflow passage. 
     
     
       4. The air induction system of claim 2 wherein the turbulence means comprises a plurality of grooves in the surface of the throttle body within the main airflow bore located between the throttle plate and the intake manifold housing. 
     
     
       5. The air induction system of claim 1 wherein the turbulence means comprises a plurality of annular grooves in the intake manifold housing along the surface of the main airflow passage. 
     
     
       6. The air induction system of claim 5 wherein each of the grooves is semi-circular in cross-section and located generally parallel with the other grooves. 
     
     
       7. The air induction system of claim 1 wherein the turbulence means comprises a plurality of grooves in the surface of the throttle body within the main airflow bore located between the throttle plate and the intake manifold housing. 
     
     
       8. The air induction system of claim 6 wherein the main airflow passage is oriented such that air generally flows in the main airflow passage in a direction other than vertical, whereby the turbulence means will also trap moisture and contaminates that may backflow toward the throttle plate. 
     
     
       9. An air induction system for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: a throttle body having an airflow surface defining a main airflow bore and a throttle plate mounted in the bore;   an intake manifold housing mounted to the throttle body, downstream of the throttle body, with the housing including an air flow surface defining a main airflow passage aligned with the throttle body main bore and is oriented such that air generally flows in a direction other than vertical, an incoming flow passage intersecting the main airflow passage, and a plurality of intake runners having intake passages intersecting the main airflow passage; and   a plurality of annular grooves in the intake manifold housing along the surface of the main airflow passage, located downstream of the throttle plate and upstream of the incoming flow passage, for causing turbulence in the main air flow passage and trapping moisture and contaminates that may backflow toward the throttle plate.   
     
     
       10. The air induction system of claim 9 wherein each of the grooves is semi-circular in cross-section and located generally parallel with the other grooves. 
     
     
       11. The air induction system of claim 10 wherein the main airflow passage is oriented such that air generally flows through it in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
       12. A method of improving the performance of an air induction system, having a throttle body, with a throttle plate, mounted to an intake manifold housing which includes a main airflow passage, through which air flows, and an incoming flow passage, for use in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of: flowing air through the throttle body and the airflow passage in the housing;   creating turbulence in the air flow between the throttle plate and the incoming flow passage; and   trapping backflowing contaminants between the throttle plate and the incoming flow passage.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 further comprising trapping backflowing moisture between the throttle plate and the incoming flow passage.